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Government of Canada Travel Advisory

Last Updated: June 20, 2018 12:57 EST1. RECENT UPDATESLaws and culture - Ramadan 2019.2. ADVISORIESEgypt - AVOID NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVELAvoid non-essential travel to Egypt due to the unpredictable security situation. This advisory does not apply to the Red Sea coastal resorts of Hurghada (and its surroundings) and Sharm el-Sheikh, nor to the area from Luxor to Aswan along the upper Nile, where you should exercise a high degree of caution.If you decide to travel to Egypt despite this advisory, plan your trip with a reputable Egyptian travel company or agency, as they are well informed of the security situation and can better plan accordingly.Register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service. The ability to provide consular services on short notice may be limited.The Sinai Peninsula (except Sharm el-Sheikh) - Avoid all travelAvoid all travel to the Sinai Peninsula, due to terrorist activity and ongoing military operations by the Egyptian Armed Forces. This does not include the coastal resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, the area within the Sharm el-Sheikh perimeter barrier, the Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport and the areas of Hadaba, Naama Bay, Nabq, Sharks Bay and Sharm el Maya.Safety and security situationThe Western desert and Libyan border area - Avoid all travelAvoid all travel to within 50 kilometres of the border with Libya, the Siwa Oasis, the Western Desert, including the oases of Bahariya, Bawati, Dakhla and Farafra, and the White and Black deserts, due to smuggling, terrorist activities, the presence of armed groups and ongoing military operations.Safety and security situationIsmailia and Suez - Avoid all travelAvoid all travel to Ismailia and Suez, due to the unpredictable security situation.Safety and security situationCoastal resorts - Exercise a high degree of cautionExercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Hurghada and Sharm el-Sheikh, as well as along the upper Nile from Luxor to Aswan. We strongly advise you to arrive and depart by air.3. SECURITYThe security situation in Egypt is unpredictable. There is a significant risk of terrorist attacks throughout the country. Attacks can be indiscriminate and occur with no warning, including in Cairo. While attacks in the North Sinai are frequent and mainly target security forces, terrorists have also targeted popular tourist destinations and other places frequented by foreigners throughout the country, including in Cairo.Terrorists have also killed and injured many Coptic Christians in urban and isolated areas. They have targeted Coptic Christian institutions, including churches. Terrorists also attacked a mosque in the North Sinai on November 24, 2017, killing over 300 people. Avoid all religious institutions in Egypt.There is a significant presence of armed security forces and police in most governorates throughout the country. A state of emergency is in effect. Curfews may be imposed on very short notice.On May 26, 2017, a group of gunmen attacked a bus apparently on route to a monastery located south of Cairo in the Minya governorate. The incident resulted in at least 26 deaths and many injured.‎‎There is an increased risk of attacks on and around dates of national significance, including:January 25, the anniversary of the 2011 Egyptian revolution;the weekend of Orthodox Easter (April 29 - May 1);June 30 to July 3, the anniversary of the removal of former president Mohamed Morsi;August 14, the anniversary of clearing protesters from Rabaa and al-Nahda squares;and, possibly, during Ramadan and other religious observances and holidays.Exercise increased caution during these periods.Be particularly cautious in commercial establishments, government facilities, public areas, tourist sites, the vicinity of churches and mosques at the time of religious services and any other areas frequented by foreigners. Avoid police stations, security installations and government buildings, as well as all crowds and demonstrations.Ansar Bait al-Maqdis (ABM), the most active terrorist group in Egypt, has pledged allegiance to Daesh. On September 21, 2014, Daesh released a statement threatening retaliation for the American-led coalition campaign against Daesh in Iraq and Syria. The statement encouraged opportunistic and indiscriminate attacks against citizens and interests of countries supporting the coalition, including Canada. Individuals and terrorist groups in the region may be inspired to carry out attacks in a show of solidarity with Daesh. Canadians could also be targeted by a terrorist attack and be considered kidnapping targets.Western Desert (see Advisory)Borders with Sudan and Libya are porous, and bandits and armed groups are active in these areas. Attacks on security checkpoints and forces are expected to continue. Egyptian military and security personnel are also engaged in security operations in the area. If you intend to travel to these areas, consider the risks to your personal safety and ensure you have made appropriate security arrangements. Travel to these areas requires a permit from the Travel Permits Department at the Egyptian Ministry of Interior Affairs.North Sinai Governorate (see Advisory)The security situation in North Sinai Governorate, particularly the areas bordering Israel and the Gaza Strip, is extremely unpredictable. Terrorist groups regularly carry out attacks against Egyptian security forces. A state of emergency is in effect, as is a curfew from 5 p.m. to 7 a.m., due to ongoing Egyptian military operations against terrorist groups in the region. Road blockades by unsanctioned groups, kidnappings, robberies and carjackings by armed groups and terrorists occur.South Sinai Governorate (see Advisory)While attacks are significantly less frequent than in North Sinai, terrorists have carried out attacks in South Sinai Governorate, targeting both security forces and tourists. Terrorist groups may expand targeted areas to include coastal resorts such as Sharm el-Sheikh. While enhanced security measures are in place to protect the tourism infrastructure in Sharm el-Sheikh, the area may be seen as a high-value target by terrorists. Be aware of your surroundings at all times and follow the advice of local authorities.Coastal resorts in Sinai, including Dahab, Nuweiba and Sharm el-Sheikh, have seen incidents of petty theft. Tensions between security authorities and local Bedouin tribes may rise unexpectedly, affecting tourism.On October 31, 2015, a flight from Sharm el Sheikh to Saint Petersburg, Russia crashed in the North Sinai. Egyptian and Russian authorities are conducting an investigation, and special security measures have been put in place at Sharm el Sheikh International Airport. Many airlines have temporarily suspended flights to and from Sharm el Sheikh; other flight restrictions may be in place across Egypt. If you are currently in or planning to travel to the area, contact your travel agent or airline to verify your travel plans.Red Sea resorts and Upper EgyptExercise a high degree of caution when travelling to Red Sea coastal resorts (such as Ain el-Sokhna, el-Gouna Bay, Hurghada, Marsa Alam, Safaga and Soma Bay) and to the Upper Egypt cities of Aswan and Luxor. On January 8, 2016, attackers injured three foreigners at the Bella Vista Hotel in Hurghada.Pay particular attention to local conditions if you are visiting Upper Egypt and the historic sites of the Nile Valley. Although tourist sites continue to operate, the Upper Nile Valley between Beni Suef and Aswan has seen a greater incidence of strikes, road blockages and civil unrest than the coastal resorts. Sectarian, economic and family-related disputes have occurred and can quickly become violent. Travel in large groups and by organized transportation, and follow the advice of local authorities, hotels and tour guides if you are travelling to rural areas. On June 10, 2015, Egyptian security personnel thwarted an attempted terrorist attack at the Karnak Temple Complex in Luxor.Civil unrestWhile the size and frequency of demonstrations have decreased, they can occur anywhere at any time without warning, but are held most often on Fridays following noon prayers. The situation remains fluid. There is always a potential for rapid escalation into violence where large groups of people are assembled.Be extremely vigilant. Avoid all demonstrations or large public gatherings. Keep well informed of developing situations by monitoring local news reports and follow the advice of local authorities. Women should take particular care, as there is a serious risk of sexual assault during demonstrations; once surrounded by a group, it can be difficult to escape.CrimeEgypt remains less consistently safe than it was before January 2011. Crimes such as pickpocketing, bag and purse snatching and home invasion have become more common. Purse snatching and pickpocketing occur most often in tourist locations and on the metro. Be aware of your surroundings and vigilant for thieves using different strategies to distract and rob you.Kidnapping and carjacking may also occur outside North Sinai. Although kidnapping victims in North Sinai Governorate are usually killed, kidnapping outside this area is generally for ransom.Carjackings usually target sports utility vehicles. Although isolated areas and night driving present the greatest threat, there have been reported incidents in daylight hours and in busy areas of Cairo. Assailants are usually armed, and a variety of tactics may be used to get vehicles to stop, including throwing objects at the windshield, feigning a traffic accident or minor collision with the target vehicle, or “sandwiching” the target vehicle to force it off the road. If you find yourself in such a situation, do not resist as carjackers are typically after the vehicle and, if the carjacking is successful, will leave the driver unharmed.If you are a victim of crime, report it to the Tourist Police or at a nearby police station as soon as possible. Request a copy of the police report at the time the report is made. Failure to report the crime while in Egypt makes it much more difficult to seek prosecution.Women's safetyWomen, particularly foreigners, are frequently subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. This often takes the form of staring, inappropriate remarks, catcalls and touching. See Her Own Way: A Woman's Safe-Travel Guide for more information.LandminesUnexploded landmines remain a risk in some desert and coastal areas, notably the Mediterranean shore, the Western Desert, the Sinai Peninsula and the western shore of the Gulf of Suez. Known minefields are not marked by signs, but may be enclosed by barbed wire. Seek local advice, especially if travelling off-road.Regional travelOn June 5, 2017, the governments of Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen announced the severing of diplomatic relations with Qatar. Some airlines have suspended flights to and from Qatar. Further measures could impact transportation. If you are planning to travel between Qatar and one of these countries, or transit through Qatar, verify your travel plans with your airline or travel agent. Monitor local media for the latest development.Road safetyRoad conditions are often poor and the rate of vehicular accidents is one of the highest in the world. Drivers generally have little regard for traffic regulations and do not follow safe driving practices. Be cautious when crossing streets as drivers do not give pedestrians the right of way. In the event of an accident, do not move the vehicle until the police arrive, unless you are in immediate danger, such as from a crowd and need to move to safety.Exercise caution when using taxis and the metro. There have been robberies and accidents involving both, and the metro has been the target of terrorist attacks. Most taxis do not have working metres, and back seats are rarely equipped with seat belts. Women should not sit in the front seat, as this could be misinterpreted by the driver. The metro can be overcrowded and is not climate controlled but does have cars for women only on most lines.Use vehicles and hire drivers from reputable travel agencies.Public transportationRail travel is generally safe between Alexandria and Cairo; however, safety standards vary throughout the rest of Egypt. In the past, protesters have blocked railways, causing deadly accidents. Exercise a high degree of caution.Avoid microbuses because of hazardous driving habits.Overcrowding and poor safety standards on ferries have caused accidents. Use reputable ferry operators.Air travelWe do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.General information about foreign domestic airlinesScuba diving / aquatic activitiesSharks are present in the waters off Egypt. Certain beaches and dive areas may be subject to temporary closures. The Egyptian Chamber of Diving and Water Sports provides updates on closures and diving conditions in Egypt. Exercise caution and seek advice from local authorities.Israeli BorderCrossing the border between Egypt and Israel is strongly discouraged at this time. The status of all crossing points can be verified prior to arrival with the Egyptian embassy in Israel or the Israeli embassy in Egypt. Cross-border movement regulations and restrictions are subject to change at any time and are the prerogative of the responsible authorities.The Rafah border crossing point to the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by border authorities in both Egypt and Gaza, is subject to sporadic openings. Global Affairs Canada advises against all travel in this area due to ongoing military operations against terrorists. Consult local authorities and refer to the travel advice for Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip for further information.Beyond the provision of a travel document (the passport), the Canadian government does not facilitate the crossing of borders by private citizens. It is the citizen's responsibility to meet the entry requirements of the country where they wish to travel, in most cases either through application for a visa or simply by going to a point of entry. Authorities at the Rafah border crossing from Egypt to Gaza have sometimes requested a letter or witnessed declaration from the Embassy of Canada to Egypt as a requirement to cross the border. The Canadian embassy is unable to provide such a letter or declaration. You should avoid all travel to Gaza. Furthermore, the Canadian government has very limited ability to provide consular services to Canadians in the Gaza Strip and once there, it may be difficult to leave.General safety informationAlthough most tourist sites are open, the situation across Egypt remains unpredictable and less consistently safe than it was before January 2011. There is a potential for rapid escalation into violence where large groups of people are assembled.Egypt has a special police force to assist tourists. Officers, who wear a distinctive arm band saying “Tourism and Antiquities Police,” can be found in hotels and at tourist sites.Carry identification at all times. Photocopy your passport and other identification in case of loss or seizure.4. ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTSEvery country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination's entry or exit requirements.We have obtained the information on this page from the Egyptian authorities. It can, however, change at any time.Verify this information with foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada.PassportEntry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.Regular Canadian passportYour passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Egypt.Passport for official travelDifferent entry rules may apply.Official travelOther travel documentsDifferent entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest diplomatic mission for your destination.Useful linksForeign diplomatic missions and consulates in CanadaCanadian passportsVisasCanadians must be in possession of a visa to visit Egypt.Tourist visa: RequiredBusiness visa: RequiredStudent visa: RequiredYou may purchase a tourist visa at the airport on arrival. However, you should obtain your visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate before arrival to avoid lengthy delays or the possibility of being refused entry. All other visas must be obtained from an Egyptian embassy or consulate before arrival.If you intend to stay for more than one month and have obtained a visa from an Egyptian embassy or consulate abroad, a 30-day visa will be stamped in your passport regardless of the visa previously granted. You are responsible for renewing this visa.Entry and exit stampsYou must show proof of an entry stamp in your passport when you leave Egypt. If you cannot provide proof of entry, you cannot obtain an exit stamp and will be denied exit.If you have entered the country with a Canadian passport and have obtained a new one while in Egypt, you must have the entry stamp transferred to the new passport by Egyptian immigration authorities. This requirement also applies to newborns and dual citizens.If a child is born in Egypt to a Canadian parent, a data stamp proving that the child was born in Egypt must be added to the child's Canadian passport before the child can exit the country. Since there will be no entry stamp in the child's passport, you must submit both the child's birth certificate and Canadian passport to Egyptian immigration officials to obtain what Egyptian authorities term the “data stamp.” Parents are advised to contact the Embassy of Canada as soon as possible to apply for citizenship and a passport for their child, so as not to further delay what can be a lengthy process.Regional travelIf you are contemplating onward travel to other Arab countries, bear in mind that Canadians have been denied entry because their passports bore an Israeli visa, an Israeli border stamp or an Egyptian or Jordanian border stamp issued by an office bordering Israel, which would indicate they entered from Israel.Medication and cosmeticsEgyptian authorities consider some prescription and over-the-counter medicines medications controlled substances. They will seize all narcotic and psychotropic medications, even if you have the original prescription. For all other prescription and over-the-counter medications:Carry the original prescriptionEnsure the medication is in its original packagingDon't attempt to enter with more than 3 months' supply.Authorities also regulate the import of cosmetics and veterinary products.Learn more from the Egyptian Drug Authority.Health entry requirementsAll foreigners planning to study, work or train in Egypt for longer than one month may be required to undergo testing for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Egyptian immigration authorities in Cairo's Mogamma building provide information on this procedure upon application.Children and travelLearn about travel with children.Yellow feverLearn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).5. HEALTHMedical services and facilitiesMedical facilities are below Canadian standards.6. LAWS AND CULTUREYou must abide by local laws.Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.DrivingAn International Driving Permit is recommended.LawsThe use of drugs and open consumption of alcohol (other than in licensed facilities such as hotels and restaurants) are prohibited. Transgressions could be punished by detention or other penalties.Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Capital punishment is a sentencing option for certain drug-related crimes.Photography of bridges, canals (including the Suez Canal), government, police and embassy buildings and vehicles, as well as military personnel and establishments is prohibited.Under Egyptian law, individuals can be detained indefinitely without charge.CustomsStrict duties apply on the importation of expensive electronics, including video and photographic equipment, laptops, and computer software and hardware. Such equipment should be for personal use and you should list it (model and serial number) and check it upon arrival and departure, in which case no duty will be collected. Appropriate permits and authorizations are required for the commercial importation of any type of electronics.It is prohibited to export any antiquity or any item older than 100 years without a licence. Contact the Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Ottawa for further information regarding customs requirements.Forced marriagesThere are reports of Canadian citizens being forced into marriage without their prior knowledge or consent. For more information about forced marriages, see Marriage Overseas and Her Own Way: A Woman's Guide to Safe and Successful TravelDual citizenshipDual citizenship is legally recognized in Egypt.If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Egypt, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.General information for travellers with dual citizenshipYou may be considered an Egyptian citizen if you were born to an Egyptian father, regardless of birth place.Egyptian-Canadian men may be subject to military service when in Egypt. In order to be exempted, dual citizens are required to present many documents before leaving Egypt, including a document of discharge due to dual citizenship. This document does not necessarily provide an exemption, and obtaining it may be a lengthy process that could affect your departure date. The Government of Canada has no jurisdiction in the process, as the decision on military service rests solely with the Egyptian government. You should contact the Egyptian embassy or consulate in Canada before travelling.CultureThe work week is Sunday through Thursday.Due to the current security context, be conscious of your behaviour and how it may be interpreted by Egyptian authorities. Meeting with or discussing banned organizations or those considered to be terrorist organizations could be perceived as criminal behaviour.Egypt's customs, laws and regulations adhere closely to Islamic practices and beliefs. Exercise common sense and discretion in dress and behaviour. Dress conservatively: for women, knee-length or longer dresses and long sleeves are preferable, and men should not wear shorts outside tourist areas. Respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Overt public displays of intimate affection are frowned upon in Egyptian culture.During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. In 2019, Ramadan is expected to begin on or around May 5.LGBTQ2 travellersAlthough the laws of Egypt do not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex, homosexuality is not socially tolerated. Members of the LGBT community could face arrest under other charges, such as committing indecency, debauchery or scandalous acts. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Egypt.General safety information and advice for LGBTQ2 travellers abroadMoneyThe currency is the Egyptian pound (EGP, E£).A maximum of E£5,000 can be brought into or taken out of Egypt. You must declare any amount of currency equivalent to US$10,000 or more.Traveller's cheques and foreign currency are easily exchanged in hotels and banks. U.S. dollars are preferred, particularly at tourist sites. Some travel agents and tour operators request payment in U.S. cash only.Major credit cards are accepted in larger stores and for larger purchases, but many merchants will only accept cash or may charge a fee for payment by credit card.7. DISASTERS AND CLIMATEEgypt, particularly Cairo and Eastern Sinai, is located in an active seismic zone. The country is also subject to sand and dust storms.

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